Preliminary Results from the Excavation of NAB-533, a Multi-Component Prehistoric Archaeological Site in the Northern Copper River Basin.
Preliminary Results from the Excavation of NAB-533, a Multi-Component Prehistoric Archaeological Site in the Northern Copper River Basin.
John T. White, Texas A&M University
NAB-533 is a buried multi-component prehistoric site located in the northern Copper River Basin. National Park Service archaeologists engaged in compliance testing originally recorded the site in 2016. During the 2017 and 2018 field seasons NPS Archaeologist Lee Reininghaus led a project to conduct test excavations at NAB-533. These excavations revealed a feature interpreted as a fire hearth and dated to 11,324-12,188 calendar years ago. In 2019 a team from the Center for the Study of the First Americans at Texas A&M University initiated test excavations to establish the stratigraphic context of the artifacts and cultural features, collect geoarchaeological samples, obtain additional radiocarbon dates, and increase the sample of artifacts. We excavated 4.75 m2, stratigraphically identifying multiple cultural components. Here we present the first results of our analysis. Data from this site have the potential to shed light on the processes involved in the initial peopling of Alaska, and more broadly of the American dual continent. We present these results in the hope that other such ancient cultural resources may be recognized and protected by individuals involved and interested in heritage conservation in the greater Copper River Basin. John T. White, Texas A&M University j.w@tamu.edu
